Vehicle Damage Paint Technician

On a vehicle damage paint technician apprenticeship course, you’ll prepare, spray and finish vehicles that have been involved in collisions and other accidents.

A vehicle damage paint technician works in the car body repair sector of the automotive industry. The job entails preparing, spraying, and polishing cars that have been in accidents and other incidents. Vehicles include cars and light commercial vehicles. In addition, you will be responsible for ensuring appropriate colour match and final finish to your company’s and customers’ specifications.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will master the fundamentals of spray painting technology, paint composition, paint mixing, and the many methods of paint spraying cars.

Before painting, cars will be prepped with masking, sanding, and other necessary preparatory work. You’ll also be responsible for keeping all business tools and equipment safe, clean, and useable, with a specific emphasis on eliminating fire hazards.

What you’ll learn

On a vehicle damage paint technician apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Carry out appropriate preparation before initiating repair, such as substrate surface preparation, paint volume calculation, and so on.
• Correctly identify substrate materials to be refinished, such as plastic, steel, and aluminium.
• Assess technical data and methods to accomplish the suggested application of the paint producer.
• Use refinishing materials following paint manufacturer standards to restore a high-quality finish to a vehicle.
• Recognise and utilise repair tools, equipment, and devices used in the process, such as mixing systems, paint booths, UV lamps, and spray equipment.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Depending on the employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment consists of three distinct assessment methods: 

• Knowledge Test 
• Professional Discussion (supported by a portfolio of evidence) 
• Practical Skills Test 

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 3 Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.